so finally we have arrived at the semifinal stage. from 32 nations we are down to the last 4. these are the last 4 teams to be involved.

URUGUAY: ranked 16 in World. Two time world champs. though in ancient time 1930 and 1950. they had quite a easy run upto this point. except for France (who were extremely poor) they haven't face any big guns so far. perhaps Netherlands in the semi will be their biggest test. can they take one more step and go to the finals and fight for their 3rd championship ????

NETHERLANDS:ranked 4 in world. the inventors of total football. they played the finals in 1974 and 1978 but lost both times. since then they have once been in the semis and lost and eventually was 4th in 1998. The Dutch previously had very good teams with good teams but never made a good run in world cups. this time after very easy games initially they surprised all beating brazil in the quarters although still havent really played good like the "clockwork orange" or "the flying Dutchmen". but may be finally this is the year.

GERMANY: ranked 6. no need to introduce the 3 time world champs Germany who now are the favorites to win the world cup for sure. injuries to ballack and rolfes was a blessing in disguise. as it Loew had to play the young attacking minded players like oezil, muellar into the squad and they have been purely inspirational along with another young player khedira and the experienced pros like klose, schweinsteiger, podolski, lahm, mertasacker, friedrich. if they continue the way they have demolished Argentina and England in recent games, there is no stopping Germany.

SPAIN: ranked 2 by FIFA. perhaps the biggest underachiever in World Football is Spain. always had some talented players in there team but always failed in the big stage. but the current generation looks a bit different. after the Euro success in 2008 they look they mean business in this World Cup. already they have qualified in the semis which surprisingly is their first time here. but they now have a high flying Germany, but surely on their day Spain can beat Germany. may be this time Spain can let all those disappointments behind them and get some glory

The only undefeated countries left in this year's World Cup go head-to-head for a place in their third World Cup final, though their records make for somewhat different reading. While Uruguay have won both their two previous appearances in the showpiece - in 1930 and 1954 - Netherlands have carried the two successive final defeats in 1974 and 1978 like an albatross around their neck ever since.

The last time the Oranje competed in a World Cup semi-final was in 1998, when they were knocked out on penalties by Brazil following a 1-1 draw that included one of the greatest ever finals goals, a finish of real beauty from Dennis Bergkamp. This time around, Brazil were vanquished in the quarter-finals and South America's only remaining contenders in South Africa stand in the way of Netherlands' date with destiny.

Bert van Marwijk's side have won all five of their matches in South Africa, seeing off Denmark, Japan, Cameroon, Slovakia and Brazil in a style that can be more accurately labelled as ruthlessly efficient than Total Football. Netherlands now have a great chance to exorcise the demons of '74 and '78, and with Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben firing on all cylinders, they appear to possess both more quality and more big-game experience than Uruguay - a nation playing their most significant match since beating Brazil to win the 1995 Copa America.

Few would have predicted Uruguay's place in the last four before the tournament, but they have proved an opportunistic side, high on energy and talent. In a group containing a shambolic France, a South Africa team possessing less quality than any previous host nation and a flair-filled but defensively frail Mexico, Oscar Tabarez's side advanced with some comfort to the knockout stage. Against South Korea in the second round, Luis Suarez was the hero - netting twice in a 2-1 victory and with Ghana the opposition in the quarter-finals, the Ajax striker was the saviour once more.

Suarez has been demonised by some, canonised by others, for his last-minute handball - but the subsequent red card and his suspension for this semi-final would appear ample punishment for Uruguay. The South Americans must suffer the absence of the most prolific goalscorer in European football last season for their biggest match since defeat to Brazil's greatest ever side in the 1970 World Cup semi-finals.
Uruguay player to watch: Edinson Cavani. After struggling to a dour 0-0 draw with France in the opening game, the introduction of Cavani to the starting line-up has drastically improved Uruguay's fortunes. Despite not finding the net in South Africa, Cavani has proved the perfect foil to strike partner Luis Suarez and has allowed talismanic captain Diego Forlan to drop deep and influence proceedings, playing behind the front two. Cavani's movement off the ball, passing and work-rate have been impressive, but with Suarez suspended, the Palermo forward must now step out of his shadow and prove his goalscoring credentials.
Netherlands player to watch: Mark Van Bommel. One of the Oranje's unsung heroes in South Africa, Van Bommel and fellow midfield enforcer Nigel De Jong have frequently done the Dutch dirty work - breaking up play to allow the creative talents of Dirk Kuyt, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben to flourish. The Bayern Munich man is proficient at doing the simple things such as passing and intercepting effectively and played a crucial role in keeping Kaka quiet in the second-half against Brazil. This time around he will be charged with keeping Forlan at bay and if he manages to stifle Uruguay's dangerman, Netherlands have a great chance of progressing.

Key battle: Diego Godin/ Mauricio Victorino/ Álvaro Pereira v Arjen Robben. The suspension of Uruguay left-back Jorge Fucile has given Oscar Tabarez a huge defensive dilemma: who should be charged with shackling Netherlands star turn Arjen Robben? The Bayern Munich winger has been in sparkling form since returning from injury and the loss of Fucile, who was expected to provide a stern test after proving one of Uruguay's most impressive performers in South Africa, is a big blow. Alvaro Pereira, who has been deployed as a left winger during the tournament, has displayed his ability at left-back for club side Porto and will have the pace, if not the defensive nous, to track Robben. The other options are dependent on the fitness of captain Digeo Lugano and fellow centre-backs Godin and Victorino; if the former is fit than one of the latter two may switch to the left and take up a man-marking job on Van Marwijk's most explosive weapon.

Trivia: New Zealand could feasibly finish as the only unbeaten side at the 2010 World Cup, should the winner of this clash between Netherlands and Uruguay go on to lose the final.

Stats: Uruguay are without a win in their last 13 World Cup finals games against European opposition (six draws, seven losses) with their last success over a European side coming in 1970 when they beat the Soviet Union 1-0 at the quarter-final stage.

Odds: Uruguay (7.50), Netherlands (1.61) and the draw (3.50) are all on offer at Bet365. Wesley Sneijder to score first might be worth a flutter at 8.00.
Prediction: South America's sole representatives have yet to face a side of Netherlands' quality and it could well be their undoing. The loss of key players in Suarez and Fucile presents dilemmas in both tactics and personnel for Uruguay, and the Dutch are primed to fully exploit their deficiencies, after fighting back to beat Brazil. Robben and Sneijder hold the key; expect them to have what it takes to unlock the Uruguay defence and book a place in the final

Germany manager Joachim Low described his side's 4-0 annihilation of Argentina in the quarter-finals as a "performance of champions" and in doing so made a statement of intent. His youthful German side are not just at these finals to gain valuable experience but to lift the trophy.

Their defeat of Argentina was the third time in five games that Germany scored four goals in a match - defeating Australia 4-0 in their opening group game and England 4-1 in the second round - and Die Mannschaft go into this match as the team in form. Low's side have developed a quick-flowing, counter-attacking style that has proved too hot to handle for more than one opponent.

The Germans have brought a breath of fresh air to tournament that has often been bogged down with defensive tactics and their attacking intent will pose a whole new set of problems for a Spanish side that is used to facing massed defences and looks vulnerable at the back.

While Germany were romping to a famous victory over Diego Maradona's previously unbeaten Argentina, the below par Spaniards fought out a 1-0 victory over Paraguay following a similarly attritional 1-0 win against Portugal in the second round. It's fair to say the Vicente Del Bosque's side are yet to hit the form that enabled them to win Euro 2008, coincidentally with a 1-0 win over Germany in Vienna, and the sorry sight of an out-of-sorts Fernando Torres is emblematic of that.

The subdued Liverpool striker has started the last four games for Spain since recovering from injury, but has been hauled off around the 60-minute mark in every match after failing to make an impact. It can be no coincidence that his exit against Paraguay coincided with an improvement for Spain and it would be no surprise if Del Bosque opted to start Fernando Llorente or Pedro instead.

It may be late in the day to start making unforced changes but something needs to be done or Spain, who will be playing in their first ever World Cup semi final, face the prospect of being swept aside by a German side high on confidence and talent. But Low must make a significant change of his own with man-of-the-moment Thomas Muller, who jointly leads Germany in both goals and assists, suspended. The Bayern Munich starlet will be a big miss.

Germany player to watch: Bastian Schweinsteiger - Argentina singled out German midfielder Mesut Ozil for special treatment in their quarter-final clash and so Schweinsteiger assumed the role of creator-in-chief with devastating effect. The Bayern Munich star provided the assists for Germany's first and third goals and was imperious in midfield throughout the match. With Muller missing against Spain Schweinsteiger will again have to deliver a top notch box-to-box performance.

Spain player to watch: David Villa - It may be an obvious selection but Barcelona's new €40 million signing has carried Spain this far and all eyes will be on him as he attempts to do so once again. Villa has scored five of Spain's seven goals in South Africa and is well on the way to winning the Golden Boot. Already recognised as one of Europe's most fearsome strikers he is now making a substantial impact on the world stage.

Key battle: Miroslav Klose v Gerard Pique: Germany striker Klose has mustered more goals in this World Cup than he managed in the entire Bundesliga season and in doing so stands on the brink of making history. The often derided Bayern Munich forward has already overtaken Pele in the World Cup's all-time goalscoring charts with 14, and just one more will see him tied for first place with Ronaldo. Hoping to stop Klose will be Barcelona centre-back Pique, who had torrid time against Paraguay and resorted to hauling down opponent Oscar Cardozo. Fortunately Cardozo failed to score from the resulting penalty.
Trivia: The last encounter between these two nations was in the Euro 2008 final. Spain won 1-0 thanks to a Fernando Torres strike.

Stats: All 14 of Miroslav Klose's World Cup goals have come in open play and been scored from inside the box. Half of them have been headers.

Odds: Germany (2.80), Spain (2.62) and the draw (3.20) are all on offer at Bet365. But a 2-1 win for Germany will get you 11.00.

Prediction: These two sides both love to attack but while Spain have been stuttering, Germany have hit their stride and that could be the crucial difference.

Muller will be a big miss. That yellow card was undeserved. The refeeres have been very random in this tournament. But still I think Trochowski or Cacau will come in. None of them are as versatile as Muller but still they can do the job. I am just hoping it wont affect the team psychologically.

Torres shouldnt be playing. They should be playing with one forward, Villa. Fabregas, Xavi and Iniesta should play as attacking midfielders. They arent being able to score enough because they cant really press teams and get the ball inside the penalty area. They are just shooting from edges of the area. Also there are not enough long shots being taken by Alonso and others. The opposing keepers face no pressure.

Originally Posted by Ashraf-FTP
Muller will be a big miss. That yellow card was undeserved. The refeeres have been very random in this tournament. But still I think Trochowski or Cacau will come in. None of them are as versatile as Muller but still they can do the job. I am just hoping it wont affect the team psychologically.

Torres shouldnt be playing. They should be playing with one forward, Villa. Fabregas, Xavi and Iniesta should play as attacking midfielders. They arent being able to score enough because they cant really press teams and get the ball inside the penalty area. They are just shooting from edges of the area. Also there are not enough long shots being taken by Alonso and others. The opposing keepers face no pressure.

agree with german part.

for spain ... like argentina they have quick players, skillful players but they dont play high tempo, except for ramos and capdevila some time. all others xavi, alonso, iniesta, busquets and villa, when receives the ball holds the ball for long time, tries to dribble too much, this allows opposition defence to get in shape and opposition midfielders to close down quickly. fabregas can actually increase the tempo. he is a player who will intiate a more like pass and move kind of game. as he likes to play quick one-twos and move into the box. with alonso and xavi who can sit deep i dont think the necessity of busquets. easily fabregas should play over him. busquets isnt doing the nasty tackles so why him. and about torress ?? spain always have been successful previously with torres villa partnership. torres upfront as target man and villa behind him. villa sometimes find it a bit tough playing alone upfront. looks like del bosque is not brave enough or confident enough to replace torres for pedro or llorente. torres has been out for three months for injury and surely out of form and fitness and low in confidence. del bosque is hoping torres may get back to form but not working.

Originally Posted by Ashraf-FTP
Muller will be a big miss. That yellow card was undeserved. The refeeres have been very random in this tournament. But still I think Trochowski or Cacau will come in. None of them are as versatile as Muller but still they can do the job. I am just hoping it wont affect the team psychologically.

Torres shouldnt be playing. They should be playing with one forward, Villa. Fabregas, Xavi and Iniesta should play as attacking midfielders. They arent being able to score enough because they cant really press teams and get the ball inside the penalty area. They are just shooting from edges of the area. Also there are not enough long shots being taken by Alonso and others. The opposing keepers face no pressure.

do u have any idea what happened to david odonkor .... he went to a spanish team and i could not follow him any more

"Everybody expects this to be the moment. We have been twice to the final. The difference is that this time we won't play the hosts - because in West Germany in 1974, we had to play against West Germany and in Argentina in 1978 we had to face Argentina. This is a great opportunity.”

"If you see Uruguay’s passion it could serve as an example for us. You always have to go on your own strength and stay close to your own football culture, but there are always things you can learn from other teams.

"Up till now, we feel very happy with what we have done. Not so much in our footballing performance, but in terms of recent football history in Uruguay. It is the effect it has had for the Uruguay people, especially for young people who have never seen anything like this. It has happened at a time when no-one believed it could happen. It is like we are at a party that we weren't invited to. But I think we have the right to stay at that party. It simply depends on us."

"Quite a few English flags here as well - representing Port Vale, Birmingham City and Brighton to name but three of the teams. You might remember this was 'meant' to be a Brazil-England semi-final. That didn't quite happen did it? Anyway, Cape Town Stadium is slowly filling up and it is predominantly one colour - you know which one."